No. 19 Nebraska Cornhuskers (2–0)

Last week: vs. Arkansas State (W 38–9)

This week: @ No. 13 Virginia Tech

Although they didn’t appear to be as powerful last week against the Red Wolves of Arkansas State, the Cornhuskers still rolled into their much anticipated matchup against the 13th-ranked Hokies. Virginia Tech will provide one of the toughest tests of the Cornhuskers’ season — that is, until they face Oklahoma and travel to Big 12 North rival Kansas in consecutive weeks to start off November.

Quarterback Zac Lee added four more touchdowns to his season total and led Nebraska as they scored on five of their first six posessions. Running back Roy Helu, Jr. only had 60 yards on 14 carries, but figures to be a force in the remainder of this season for the once-proud program. Tight end Mike McNeill has had four catches in each of the first two games, as well as two touchdown receptions against the Red Wolves.

Missouri Tigers (2-0)

Last Week: vs. Bowling Green (W 27–20)

This Week: vs. Furman (2-0)

After an impressive debut against Illinois last weekend, sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert turned out yet another standout performance. Playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in his career, Gabbert  completed 20-of-32 passes, raking in two touchdowns and keeping his record clean of interceptions this season. Apart from Gabbert’s success, however, the Tigers struggled at times against Bowling Green. Missouri’s defense allowed the Falcons to jump out to an early lead, which they held until running back Derrick Washington’s late fourth quarter touchdown helped the Tigers secure a win. Missouri now has a legitimate shot at reaching Big 12 play with a 4-0 record, with only Furman and Nevada remaining on its non-conference schedule.

Kansas Jayhawks (2-0)

Last Week: W 34-7 @ UTEP (C-USA)

This Week: vs. Duke Blue Devils (ACC)

While their opponents leave something to be desired on the schedule, the Jayhawks are taking care of business for coach Mark Mangino. With a score of 83-10 after their two games against FCS Northern Colorado and Conference USA’s UTEP Miners, the Duke Blue Devils bring their typically powderpuff game to Lawrence for an 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday.

The return last week of star wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe means that Todd Reesing will have even more weapons to throw to until the Big 12 schedule heats up. Even though the Jayhawks are 3-16 all-time against the ACC, look for the balanced ball club to use the non-conference part of their schedule as a preseason, using its offensive arsenal, and its much improved defense.

Kansas State Wildcats (1-1)

Last Week: L 17-15 @ Louisiana-Lafeyette (Sun Belt)

This Week: @ UCLA (Pac-10)

After struggling in week one against FCS foe Massachusetts at home, the Wildcats and AARP card carrying-coach Bill Snyder had to go on the road and take on the Ragin’ Cajun. They returned to Manhattan all burnt up.

The Wildcats lost on a late field goal to a walk-on kicker on his first career attempt, and while their statistics don’t show their early season ineptitude, struggling against the likes of UMass and ULL doesn’t bode well for the Big 12 part of the schedule.

Colorado Buffaloes (0–2)

Last Week: @ Toledo (L 54-38)

This Week: vs. Wyoming (0-2)

Colorado’s hopes for a breakout season took a hit in week one after the Buffaloes lost to in-state rival Colorado St. Things got worst for Colorado in week two. Colorado’s struggles opening week were magnified in week two as the defense had no answer to a surging Toledo offense, who put up 54 points on the Buffaloes. Like in week one, Colorado dug themselves into an early hole that couldn’t be overcome, trailing 23-3 going into the half. Despite picking up four touchdowns, quarterback Cody Hawkins’ struggles were evident as the junior completed only 30 of his 64 passing attempts. Colorado returns home to face an equally downtrodden Wyoming squad.

No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners (1-1)

Last week: vs. Idaho State (W 64-0)

This week: vs. Tulsa

The backlash from the injuries to Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham wasn’t as bad as many Oklahoma faithful had feared, as the Sooners trounced FCS opponent Idaho State 64-0, avenging their opening week loss to No. 7 BYU.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Landry Jones didn’t miss a beat filling in for Bradford, going 18-of-32 passing with 286 yards, to lead an Oklahoma offense that racked up 564 total yards of offense. Meanwhile, the defense didn’t disappoint, holding Idaho State to 44 total yards of offense, including an astounding -22 yards on the ground.

No. 16 Oklahoma State (1-1)

Cowboys (1-1)

Last week: vs. Houston (L 45-35)

This week: vs. Rice

The Cowboys looked hapless against the now-ranked Houston. The Cougars found a way to win the shootout against the high-powered Oklahoma State offense, rolling in 512 total yards.

Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson struggled to an 18-of-31 performance through the air, while only managing one touchdown and getting intercepted once. The outstanding play of wideout Dez Bryant wasn’t enough for the Cowboys, either, even though he had five catches for 85 yards and an 82-yard punt return touchdown in the game.

Now, the Cowboys must rebound against their remaining non-conference foes before starting a tough conference slate.

Baylor Bears (1-0)

Last Week: Off

This Week: vs. Connecticut (Big East) @ Waco, Texas

Coach Art Briles used the bye week to get his team prepared for Connecticut coming to Waco, and the Huskies are coming off a tough loss to No. 19 North Carolina in a non-conference match-up that ended with a safety. Briles and his increasingly speedy bunch should be up to the challenge after taking down Wake Forest on the road in week one, needing to slow down the Husky rushing attack first and foremost.

It doesn’t hurt that linebacker Joe Pawelek, the man charged with stopping that ground attack was All-Big 12 last season, and the Baylor defense may surprise more people early in the year than the Robert Griffin-led Bear offense. Griffin played a typical game in week one, with a high completion percentage, well timed scrambles, and no interceptions, and you can likely expect much of the same against a smash-mouth, low possession Connecticut ball club.

No. 2 Texas Longhorns (2-0)

Last Week: W 41-10 @ Wyoming Cowboys (MWC)

This Week: vs. Texas Tech

The Longhorns were in the midst of an embarrassing game, trailing 10-6 in Wyoming late in the first half. Texas reeled off 35 straight points however to take care of the Cowboys. Now their attention swings to the Red Raiders who stunned the Longhorns last season with a last second touchdown pass to former receiver Michael Crabtree. The loss was Texas’ only of the season and probably cost them a chance to play for a National Championship against Florida.

Texas A&M Aggies (1-0)

Last Week: Off

This Week: vs. Utah State (WAC)

After a disappointing season last year, the Aggies will try to build off of their solid start; a 41-6 win against New Mexico. Utah State will be a much tougher test for Texas A&M then New Mexico was however. The Big Blue looked good against nationally ranked Utah in week one, falling in a 35-17 contest. The Aggies will have to stop a running game that racked up almost 200 yards against the Utes.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0)

Last Week: W 55-10 vs. Rice Owls

This Week: @ Texas

With 456 yards and 7 touchdowns through the air, the Red Raiders are rolling on offense. Rice did not even present a challenge for the perpetually high flying offense. This week, Texas Tech is looking to prove that they are an elite Big 12 team and that last year wasn’t a fluke. What better way to do that then replicating last season’s signature win against the Longhorns?